DNASense aims to capitalise on technological developments in eDNA and remote sensing methods to develop new biodiversity assessment indicators that can be integrated in assessment tools in use for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Existing eDNA datasets of microbial communities (prokaryotes, fungi and bacteria) from sites currently part of national monitoring programmes will be analysed to investigate spatio-temporal responses of benthic diversity of communities currently not monitored programmes. Additionally, remote sensing will be used to increase the spatial resolution of macrophyte monitoring initiatives, currently limited by in situ methods. Both types of information will then be used to develop new indicators that can maximise the advantages of this type of data in ecological assessment tools for benthic ecosystems. As such, DNASense will contribute decisively for the improvement of biodiversity monitoring in benthic ecosystems.

2024

2028